NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Tractor Supply  (TSCO) - Get Report are up nearly 37% in the past six months. The company's latest earnings report has spurred an increase in the stock price. 

In late January, the company reported earnings above estimates. Revenue climbed 11.4% year over year. 

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based retail chain provides products primarily for ranches and farms in 44 states. 

The customer is continuing to spend at our business, said CEO Greg Sandfort. "We are a needs-based company." He said that typical customers shop at stores because they need supplies for their lifestyle. 

Typical Tractor Supply customers have land, possibly large animals and machinery for their acreage. 

That may help to explain why the company's staple products - the stuff that falls in the "needs-based" category - continues to sell well, while the seasonal products have gotten off to a slow start. 

However, that doesn't have Sandfort worried, as he said the business will pick in the spring. 

Tractor Supply Company TSCO data by YCharts

Last month, the company boosted its guidance for operating margins. Sandfort said that part of that boost stemmed from the company's pricing. He said that the company has the right product available at a fair price, and that is attractive to consumers. 

Tractor Supply has an efficient supply chain. The company can move products quickly if demand grows stronger for a product in one region over another. 

The company has roughly 1,400 locations and plans to open between 110 and 115 locations in 2015, he said. Tractor Supply has a long-term goal of extending its chain to 2,500 locations. 

Sandfort said that he sees the company's largest growth opportunities in the western United States. 

Even states like Texas, where the company has the largest number of its stores, offer additional opportunities, he said. 

This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.